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I have had several people come to me asking how I birthed utopYA, the conference and awards that celebrate women writers of young adult and new adult fiction, because they want to create their own conference or event and would like to replicate its success. For them, I held a special podcast a year ago, where I shared how we did it. I’ll probably be sharing that podcast recording again soon in some way.

I can even count a handful of these events that were created by women who attended utopYA, and wanted to bring that same opportunity and spirit to their own towns. Let’s stop right here, and take a minute to celebrate that. Let’s celebrate that more opportunities for writers to connect with fans and each other are popping up all over creation [insert happy dance here].

To honor one of my mission aims — thoughtful collaboration with like-minded entrepreneurs — I thought I’d pull back the curtain on sponsorship for those looking to attract them to your own events.

Here are my top tips on the steps needed for successful event sponsorship:

Set your goal(s)

How much money do you need? What is it you need or want to accomplish with the help of sponsors that you can’t do on your own or in a different way? Be specific.

Create your hit list

Who do you want to sponsor? Do your homework. Find companies sympathetic to your audience and to you. Find companies active in sponsorship, but who aren’t over extended. Find companies who can help promote.

Determine Audience — both yours and theirs

Find sponsors who want the audience that is attracted to you.

Know what you have to offer

What can you offer them in exchange for sponsorship? What can you do for them or create for them or offer them that will make saying yes to you a no-brainer?

Cultivate Relationships

Sometimes this means starting local — know any business owners, friends or family members who can help?

Use Twitter, Facebook and other social sites to not only do homework, but to talk with your potential sponsors. Get to know them way before you ask them for anything.

Create Proposal

Put together a nice-looking and well thought out document outlining your event mission, purpose, facts about your audience, facts about your industry, any press you have received, and your sponsor opportunities.

Work with rock stars

I recommend working with someone who has this as their ONLY task for your event. Getting sponsors is not a job that is easy to juggle along with the 50,000 other things on the event “To Do” list. I say this from personal experience. Then bring your team in to help execute.

Be tenacious

If at first you don’t succeed, try again. At the very least, you want to be in their minds when you come a-callin’ next year.

Creating successful events is extremely rewarding, but definitely full-time work if you want it done right and well. I see a lot of entrepreneurs trying to juggle events with other hobbies and passions. I’m not saying it’s impossible to do both, but, undoubtedly, there will be times when one or the other will suffer because you aren’t 100% focused on one. Be kind to yourself when this happens. It’s in our nature to beat ourselves up when our desire to be superwomen who do it all gets challenged. Know in your heart what you’re meant to do, and go for it with every cell of your being.

Mad Scientist or Synergistic Career Alchemist? You decide in this fun and extremely informative interview with the vibrant Christina Morassi.

Christina has risen from being the unique “heartshot photographer” to a leader of women seeking to put all of their gifts together into their own unique Ecstatic Brand in record time. She has created a multi-six figure business in just a couple of years, and has had a blast doing it.

Watch the video to learn:

* how body and movement play a role in your business

* how to put an end to struggling to find your niche

* how to easily make money with a small list

* how social media played a role in Christina’s multi-six figure success

* how to live on brand with Transmission Marketing

* how Christina created her own Ecstatic Brand and how you can too!

[while my audio is on the loud side, Christina’s is a bit more subdued. Please adjust your audio accordingly]

WARNING: I am a convert when it comes to hiring a copywriter….and you know how zealous converts can be. I was so resistant for so long. I just didn’t think I needed one. I am a good writer. Not only is my degree in journalism, but I’ve been in the marketing and advertising industry myself for decades, so why would I hire someone to do what I can do and have done for others?

Boy oh boy, were my eyes opened. In full disclosure, I am a client of Lisa Rothstein’s. This Madison Avenue copy diva gone rogue for the betterment of entrepreneurs everywhere showed me the light. It was another one of those V-8 moments when I was like “Of course I shouldn’t be performing surgery on myself.” Coaches, copywriters, dentists, personal trainers — they see things that you can not because they are able to step back and see the whole picture.

In this interview with Rothstein:

You will learn how copywriting for entrepreneurs is different than writing for the big brands on Madison Ave, as well as how they are similar.

You’ll discover the strategies necessary in seamlessly connecting the dots between your sales pages and your other marketing channels.

You’ll also hear how important it is to work with a copywriter in creating and maintaining your authentic voice on your websites, sales pages, solo mailers and much more.

A graduate of Brown University, Lisa Rothstein started her career as a copywriter at Young & Rubicam, and eventually became SVP/Associate Creative Director at Lintas NY and in Paris, where her clients included IBM, Hanes, Johnson & Johnson and Bacardi. Since 2004, she has worked with both corporate clients and creative entrepreneurs on refining and articulating their message.

Rothstein has graciously extended her “30-minutes on Madison Ave.” consultation to you. Head over here for your strategy session. Find out more about Lisa Rothstein at www.LisaRothstein.com

Have you worked with a copywriter yet? If so, what was your experience like? If not, do you think you will or want to? Let me know in the comments.